Keep it clean
Look at your home as though you’re seeing it for the first time. Is every room neat, spotlessly clean, dusted and uncluttered? Steam clean carpets and wax floors. Wash walls, heating and A/C vents and light fixtures. Pay special attention to your bathroom and kitchen – make sure that tile grout is mildew free and baseboards scrubbed. Clean the refrigerator and stove as well as the washer and dryer (inside and out). And, don’t forget about the windows! Make sure that all windowpanes, ledges and blinds are spick and span.
Lose the clutter
Have a yard sale or take old furniture, clothing and knick-knacks to Goodwill. Organize shelves, put away items and purge your home of unnecessary items. Make sure that your kitchen and bathroom counters are free of small appliances and personal effects.
De-personalize your home
Make your home "anonymous,” so that buyers can envision it as their potential home. Put away any family photos, sports trophies, collectibles, knick-knacks, and souvenirs. This will also help to remove clutter and create more space.
Freshen-up
Adding a fresh coat of paint and laying new carpet will clean and brighten up your home. Choose neutral colours and make it consistent throughout the home. If you choose to wallpaper, make sure that the paper is properly applied, your colour choice is neutral and patterns are kept to a minimum.
First impression count
Like a first date or job interview, the first impression of your home is the most important. Walking into a home with fingerprinted screen door windows or cluttered entranceways, can influence the potential homebuyer’s decisions. Likewise, strong odours can ruin a sale, so pay close attention to pet, cooking and cigarette smells in your home. Light delicately scented candles or have cookies baking in the oven when you’re showing. Fresh flowers, especially in the spring and winter, can help to brighten and energize your home.
Curb appeal
Homebuyers decide whether or not to look inside a house by the appearance of your home’s exterior. Paint or wash the outside of your home. Check your gutters and chimney and make necessary repairs. Keep your lawns trimmed and flower beds weeded. Clear the driveway and yard of children’s toys and store away unsightly trashcans. Use urns to define walk spaces and ensure that window boxes are full of healthy all-season plants. Replace any broken or dated light fixtures and wash windows and ledges. If you have a garage, make certain that it is neat and clutter-free.
Create the illusion of space
To make your home seem more spacious, it is key to de-clutter and re-organize. Start by removing excess furniture to make rooms feel more open and replacing any items that are not appropriately sized for the room. For example, oversized couches, while comfortable, can make a room seem smaller than it actually is. Clean and organize your closets and remove excess clutter from all areas of your home. Store unnecessary items in an out of the way location or rent a temporary storage unit. Strategically placed mirrors can also help to create the illusion of more space.
Modern choices
Ensure that the décor of your home is modern and tasteful. Replace outdated furniture, wall coverings and window treatments. Use neutral tones on your walls and floors and add colour with removable items such as throw pillows or bedding. Steer away from too many personal touches to create a minimalist and contemporary space.
Doggie don'ts
“Love me, love my pets,” doesn’t apply when selling your home. Take your pets with you when your house is being shown, or at least keep them outside. Pets under foot will quickly put a damper on an otherwise positive showing. While making sure that your house is odour-free and spotless applies to everyone, pet owners need to take special care. Be sure to empty and hide unsightly kitty litter, lint brush your furniture and put your furry friend’s toys, dishes and scratching posts away during showings.
Beautify your backyard
Don’t forget about your backyard. A house showing doesn’t always end at the backdoor. Beyond size and layout, potential buyers can also be influenced by the state of your yard. Keep the lawn, hedges and flowerbeds manicured. Try to recreate an entertaining area (even in the winter) by sweeping decks, cleaning and setting-up patio furniture and removing torn BBQ covers. Buy exterior storage containers to hide gardening tools, kids toys and pool supplies. If you have a pool, ensure that the cover is pulled back, that the water is inviting and the lining algae-free. Lastly, interested buyers may decide to look inside your shed, so make sure that it is organized and clean.
Here are some more tips:
- Clean up, dust, and hide the clutter. Pack away any personal items in cupboards or closets. This may include photo frames of family and friends covering the surfaces of your home.
- Any toys that belong to your children or your pet should be put away, as well as your pet's food and water bowls.
- If any repairs are needed to be done to the walls or furniture, have them done .
- The bathrooms should also be clean and tidy, with a clean set of matching white towels on the towel rack, no bath matts please .
- Turn on the lights! If you don't think the lights in your home are bright enough, you can always buy a few floor lamps.
- You can lighten up a dark room or dark furniture with colourful pillows and throws, or neutral area rugs.
- Open up the drapes and blinds. It will look good from the inside of the house and the outside.
- Clean the windows to get rid of all dust and visible streaks.
- If you can, get rid of any extra furniture from the bedrooms. The rooms should look as simple as possible, so as not to look small.
- A vase of fresh flowers on the kitchen or living room table never hurts to add some colour.
- Don't forget about the exterior! Put away garbage cans, prune the bushes, and make sure the lawn is mowed.
- If necessary, have your driveway power-washed.
- If needed, have touch-ups done the the exterior paint job.
- If you have a garden, make sure to weed it, and also check the weeds in your driveway and patio.
- Make sure your gutters, roof, and the rest of your property is clear of twigs, leaves, and other debris.
- Wind up exterior hoses, and put away any outdoor children's toys in the garage.
- If you have a pool or hot tub,weather permitting* uncover it, and make sure it is clean.
- Check to make sure the address numbers on your house or mailbox are straight.
- Think like a buyer. Think about what made you purchase your home and show off its best assets.
- move vehicles out of the driveway or away from the front of the house.
- Lastly, clear the people and/or pets out of the house as much as possible